the secret ingredient – how to scramble eggs like tetsuya

by jules

So you want to know what my prediction is for the new hottest brunch ingredient?

Two words – creamed. corn.

Now before you start thinking that Jules is loosing it and reverting to her childhood in the oh-so-ugly 1970s, I’d better come clean about my sources. You see last week I was extremely lucky to be invited to attend a masterclass by Tetsuya in his new classroom kitchen fitted out by Electrolux. And the first thing Australia’s most famous chef demonstrated was the humble scrambled egg.

You just can’t help but love Tets. So humble and although he professes to be shy – so fun and engaging. Not to mention talented. I think he’s pipped Ferran Adria from the lofty position of my favourite chef.

Now I thought I knew how to scramble an egg like the best of them, but I was happy to learn some new tricks. As Tetsuya says, everything tastes better with ricotta and parmesan. I couldn’t agree more. Apart from the flavour boost, the ricotta lightens the texture and even if you have to let the eggs get cold they’ll still be soft and edible.

But the most surprising revelation of the evening was the creamed corn. And yes I’m talking out of a can. It adds a certain something to your eggs. It’s a subtle sweetness with a hint of corn – quite mild. I don’t think I would have tasted the corn if I hadn’t known it was in there. But these eggs are seriously good and I’m pretty sure the corn is key. If it’s good enough for Tetsuya it’s good enough for me.

If you’re wondering – the eggs came from my cousin’s farm. They sell eggs at the Canberra Markets every weekend. If you happen to be in the capital be sure to drop by and tell them I said hi. And that is their actual colour. No photoshopping here. And yes they were delicious for my lunch today.

[5 ingredients | 10 minutes] tetsuya’s scrambled eggs serves 2

If you’re not into corn, you could always serve the eggs without or take it to a new level with some crab meat or cooked prawns.

The best thing about scrambled eggs is that you can cook for as few or as many people as you like and they’ll be fine.

Apart from adding some lovely creamy cheesiness, the ricotta makes a massive difference to the texture of your eggs. So even if you overcook them a little they’ll still be moist and soft.

Tets also uses cream in his eggs which does add to the richness. And he uses a combination of butter and olive oil in the pan at the beginning. My version is a bit more simple and waistline-friendly but no less delicious.

I’d forgotten how some people are sensitive to undercooked eggs. Had to laugh when fellow blogger Peter G from Souvlaki for the Soul was worried that Tetsuya’s eggs were a bit on the ‘snotty’ side.

49 Comments

it is the good shane. good question on the vino. I’m thinking champagne or sparkling white would be prefect for brunch. Or a fresh young white like a riesling or a semillon or even a lightly oaked chardonnay.

Yum once more. Had perfect poached eggs on the weekend – is there anything more wonderful than well cooked eggs. And I don’t mean well cooked as in hard – I’d probably err on the snotty side for scrambled.. (what a lovely mental picture you’ve given me..)

I actually loved his eggs…but yes initially I was worried about them being a little “runny”, to use a much friendlier word…LOL! Thanks for the other night Jules. It was a whole lot of fun seeing you again.

Hi Jules, Thank you for visiting Crookwell last week. I used to make scrambled eggs with the corn thing happening and fresh parsley. Go a couple of steps further and ad some self raising flour and a dash of milk to make corn fritters. These are also a hit served with crispy bacon and sourcream on the side. Keep up the amazing recipes and blogging. Bron.

pleasure bron, I really enjoyed it. and I love corn fritters – thanks for reminding me of them

village feast – of course omelette with creamed corn would also be wonderful

words to live by nai nai – everything does taste better with cheese

joana no creamed corn – wow. You could cook some fresh corn and puree it up to a chunky paste if you wanted to

barbara so lovey to meet you as well and big thankyou for the pic – great to see our shoes online!

peter G – you are too funny – was great to see you again

mark – I’m thinking it was inspired by the chinese creamed corn and crab soup which has a heap of egg in it. and if tetsuya can’t convince you that creamed corn is going to work – noone will I’m thinking

I love cream corn so I imagine this is a good addition – in fact E and I have been discussing how to scramble eggs as I don’t do eggs – never having liked them – but am trying to offer them to sylvia – and I think the ricotta is a great idea I must try

i think ricotta and/or parm is always good in eggs. but creamed corn? i still can’t really wrap my brain around it. i suppose if you like creamed corn at all, you might like it in eggs. but i dont even like creamed corn alone.

Jules. I gave these eggs a try this morning for breakfast. They are unlike any scrambled eggs I have ever had. You are right, they’re good! I don’t think they could replace regular scrambled eggs on my breakfast plate but they are great served on their own. I’m going to keep this in my back pocket for mid-week brinner.

Well … after I tried this the first time I did it again … I still had some creamed corn left over and added a scallion and flat leaf parsley to the works with some bacon (on the side) … mmmm good … thanks

Thought I’d add one more note … I didn’t notice the cream initially but gave it a splash of half/n/half for the second try … I like to cook my eggs with subtle heat and let them go … (while watching the liquid dissipate and yes) … perfect … thanks again. Normally I wouldn’t cook eggs this long but with these ingredients it turned out to be foolproof …

Hi Jules, thanxs so much for sharing this wonderful recipe with us :) I have made them with some success and was hoping to (share a link) to the recipe with my readers? Of course, I’d like to ask you first! Thanxs again!

I tried this recipe without the ricotta & corn because I didn’t have any of those ingredients. Did it last minute. But hey, you did mention in another blog where you shouldn’t plan ahead, right? ;)

So the recipe without those two ingredients still tasted great! I just added too much milk so it was extremely soft & I only added one of the egg yolks. Next time, I will try making this again with all the ingredients and see how it’ll taste.

I look forward to using every one of your “50 healthy, 10 minute recipes.” I need to start learning as I am a 24-year-old who can’t really cook or make delicious meals. Thanks for the great recipe =)